The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-06-11

We observe that our Republican
contemporaries are greatly excited
over various comments on John Sher-
man in the southern papers. They
discern in these comments spirit of
luminosity which cOnvinces them that
the South is still unrec0nstructed, and
they protest that such communities as
cannot reconcile themselves to q pure
and enlightened statesman like Senator
Sherman must be abandoned indeed.
The question is whether the southern
people can fairly be blamed for look
ing askance at Hon. John Sherman,
and whether their failure to receive
him with open arms argues any want
of patriotism and liberality. Mr..
Sherman is no doubt q great Repub-
lican leader. He is cOnfessedly q man
of commanding abilities, shrewd, far
seeing and strong. He has exhibited
brilliant powers in the Senate and
his record as Secretary of the Treas
ury is full of honor and credit. But
can it be expected that the South will
readily forget the part taken by John
Sherman in its destinies during the
dreadful era Of carpetbag government
and in the interest of the Republican
satrapyf There are few thoughtful
and high minded men-even within
the Republican rsnks--who look back
upon the fraud Of 1876 without blush.
Yet that fraud was the apothesis Of
carpetbaggery, aud John Sherman was
its most conspicuous agent. He it was
who headed the delegation to Louis
lana. He went there to seize for the
imp0st0r Hayes the electoral vote Of q
State which General Graut himself had
abandoned to the Democratic candi
date for Governor. He came to the
people of the South IS the type Of
everything that was unfair and intol-
Grant and tyrannical in Republican
policy and purpose. He stands in
their memories to-day as the symbol
and incarnation of the most grievous
and ranking political wrong ever in
f1icted upon people.
1t seems to US that the SOuth's pres
emit temper may not be intelligently
appraised by the standard of its recep-
ton of Senator Sherman. This side
Mason and Dixon's line he may be
covered with political glory. Here in
the ATTITUDES where he has never vi0-
lated any of our deeper convictions,
and where his services have brought
him eminence, honor, and 'troops Of
| friends" he may command the fullest
need Of respect and confidence. But
in the southern States he must ever
remain q conspicuous and sbhorrent
| figure in the darkest episode of their
history. Grant, Sheridan, Thomas,
Rosecrans-the whole galaxy of those
military chieftains who overthrow
them in fair fight and dragoOnel their
Grant footsteps back into the path
way of the republic'a glory and integ-
rity-not all of these combined may
represent to them 90 much Of injury
as the man who came among them to
steal their suffrages and 80 profane the
most sacred privileges Of their re-
covered citizenship.
1t was the mistake of John Sher-
mans political career-tbe blot in the
scucche0n of his long and faithful
public service-that he lent himself to
that sinister and hateful treachery and
consented to appear before the South
as it's exponent and peculiar instru-
ment. He has no right, even at this
late day, to complain that the South
cannot forget the outrage or open its
arms to him.